POL 500 Literature Review Rubric

For this assignment, you will summarize the current literature relevant to the issue you chose in Module Two. A literature review is an analytical essay containing an introduction (including a thesis and a research question), body (where you use research to support your issue and tie the resources back to your research question), and a conclusion. The purpose of a literature review is to summarize and synthesize the ideas of others in regard to your chosen issue. This will construct a solid foundation for your final paper, due in Module Nine. Refer to the Final Paper Guidelines and Rubric document for a full description of the final paper.

The issue I chosen is Over Crowded Prison

Requirements of Submission: The literature review assignment must follow these formatting guidelines: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, oneinch margins, and discipline-appropriate citations (APA formatting). Page length requirements: 4–5 pages. Assignment must include at least five scholarly sources, which may include the course text.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (90%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0%) Value Research Question Meets “Proficient” criteria and uses concrete examples to substantiate the issue’s relevance Develops a well-formed research question that is relevant, and explains its significance within the field of political science Develops a research question, but does not explain its significance within the field of political science Does not provide a well-formed research question

15 Scholarly Resources Utilizes more than five scholarly resources Utilizes at least five scholarly resources relevant to the selected issue Utilizes fewer than five scholarly resources Does not utilize scholarly resources

10 Incorporation of Literature Meets “Proficient” criteria, and summaries are well written with the intended audience in mind Summarizes the literature cited and ties the literature back to the research question and chosen issue Summarizes the literature cited, but does not state why these sources are relevant Does not summarize the literature cited

15 Evaluation of Resources Meets “Proficient” criteria and points out gaps in existing research and the necessity for new research Assesses sources specific to research question describing the author’s credentials, arguments, objectivity, persuasiveness, and conclusions Provides an evaluation of the resources reviewed, but description contains gaps Does not provide an evaluation of the resources reviewed

15 Credibility Meets “Proficient” criteria and is well qualified using specific scholarly examples Analyzes sources to determine their strengths and weaknesses in how they impact our understanding of the issue and the research question Analyzes sources to determine their strengths and weaknesses but lack specificity in addressing how these aspects impact our understanding of the issue and research question Does not analyze sources for their strengths and weaknesses

20

Critical Thinking Meets “Proficient” criteria and discusses flaws or gaps in existing research

Draws conclusions from the research and ties them to the chosen topic and research question

Draws conclusions from the research, but does not tie them to the chosen topic and research question

Does not draw conclusions

20

Writing (Mechanics/ Citations)

Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

5

Earned Total 100%